By: Juliet Mettle-Edmonds
A new health facility has been opened at the James Camp Prison in Accra to improve access to medical care for both inmates and prison officers. The clinic, located at Roman Ridge, will also serve residents of surrounding communities.
The Clinic accredited by the National Health Insurance Scheme, is equipped with an Outpatient Department, In-patient care, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Dental and Eye units, as well as Antenatal, Nutrition and other social services.
The Director General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, described the project as the fulfillment of a vision conceived five years ago to bring quality healthcare closer to inmates and officers, while reducing the number of referral cases from the prisons.
She appealed for support towards the Service’s long-term goal of building an ultra-modern hospital.
The Head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Ghana, Mr. Christopher Capelle, underscored the importance of the Nelson Mandela Rules which emphasize dignity and respect in the treatment of prisoners.
A representative of the Ministry of the Interior Mr. Solomon Mensah said the facility marks a shift in Ghana’s prison system, away from neglect and inadequate care, towards rehabilitation, dignity, and restoration.
The clinic will operate 24 hours daily with a dedicated team of doctors, physician assistants, nurses, public health officers, and laboratory technicians.
